RADM Buck Visits Golden Swordsmen In El Salvador

COMALAPA, EL SALVADOR

09.30.2016

Story by Lt.j.g. Benjamin Ditota 

Patrol Squadron 47

COMALAPA, El Salvador (NNS) -- The month of October usually brings with it a fresh and exciting feeling that can only be described through experience. Leaves changing colors and gently drifting to the ground, a crisp wind blowing through a brisk, clear air, and spooky Halloween decorations popping up to scare the eventual trick-or-treaters. It ushers in a much needed change after a long summer of vacations and relaxation, not to mention it also serves as a prelude to the holiday season. For the Golden Swordsmen of Patrol Squadron (VP) 47, however, October means something entirely different in 2016.
It has now officially been a month since three combat aircrews (CAC) and a detachment of maintenance personnel said their final “Aloha” to Hawaii. Instead of sticking around to enjoy the traditional ambiance of fall, VP-47 arrived in El Salvador at the end of August to relieve Patrol Squadron (VP) 4 and grant them some well-deserved rest after their six month deployment. And the Golden Swordsmen didn’t miss a beat.
As a reward for their hard work, VP-47 was paid a visit by the Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command/U.S. 4th Fleet, Rear Adm. Sean Buck, Sept. 29-30. Buck is currently on a tour of Central and South America, visiting Sailors and Marines stationed in several countries, surveying their capabilities, communicating with them about the mission and what he hopes to achieve as a team.
Upon arriving at Cooperative Security Location (CSL) Comalapa, El Salvador, Buck was given a tour of the spaces being utilized by VP-47 and the permanent CSL staff. He interacted with aircrew and maintenance personnel asking questions about their day-to-day routines and what he could do to make their jobs easier. The next morning Buck addressed the entire command to outline his major objectives for the Sailors and Marines that operate under his leadership. He stressed the importance of being fierce warfighters that complete the mission professionally, being good ambassadors of the United States in a country that has graciously hosted the US military for several years now.
“Perhaps the most important thing I will tell you today is that I need you to take care of yourselves and I need you to take care of your fellow Sailors,” said Buck.
Stressing the importance of personal responsibility, respect for others, and teamwork, he then fielded a handful of questions concerning topics ranging from national security to new Navy guidelines eliminating the use of ratings.
“I’m still learning about what this change is going to mean for all of us,” said Buck. “But I’m not asking you to take that rating that you earned off of your uniform. You earned that.”
The visit left many Golden Swordsmen in high spirits and ready to tackle the challenges ahead at full speed.
“It was very interesting to hear what he had to say,” said Lt. Matt Guza, from Dublin, Ohio. “It’s a good feeling knowing that 4th Fleet actual is seeing what we’re doing down here, especially when it comes to high profile targets like that SPSS we found.”
Lt. Guza is a tactical coordinator (TACCO) on a P-3C Orion maritime patrol aircraft, an anti-submarine and maritime surveillance aircraft operated and maintained by VP-47. In early September, on one the first operational missions flown out of El Salvador by VP-47 during this deployment, Guza and CAC-5 were the first to detect a self-propelled semi-submersible (SPSS) that was steaming north carrying over 6000 kilograms of cocaine. The vessels are notorious for their use by Colombian drug cartels and their difficulty to detect. With the assistance of CAC-2 and CAC-10, the Golden Swordsmen were able to direct an intercept of the vessel by US Coast Guard forces operating in the area resulting in the seizure of over $180 million worth of cocaine.
Petty Officer 2nd Class Ryan Dahlin, an aviation electrician from San Clemente, California, who performs regular maintenance on the aircraft used by VP-47 and, along with every member of the maintenance department, plays an integral role in the completion of the mission.
“It feels good knowing that the work we do has a direct impact on that. Any time something we work on shows such positive results on such a high profile mission, it makes us all feel very proud,” said Dahlin.
During Bucks visit, he stopped into Dahlin’s shop to personally thank and congratulate him and all the maintainers on their hard work.
“I never would have thought I’d be shaking the Admiral’s hand but it sure was a good feeling,” said Dahlin.
Unfortunately, not every mission results in the capture of an SPSS or a visit from an Admiral, but that doesn’t slow down the Golden Swordsmen one step. Day in and day out, they are on the flight line, in the workshops, and in the administrative spaces making sure that every facet of the mission is running properly and to the best of its ability. They are hungry for success and, as proven by a notable first month on deployment, they are ready to go out and get it. To say the least, the Golden Swordsmen are taking the excitement of the fall season to a new level of professionalism and operational achievement. Something they would gladly trade a pile of leaves and a few Jack-o’-lanterns for. So with Rear Adm. Buck’s words of encouragement fresh in their mind’s, VP-47 is ready to continue proving to U.S. 4th Fleet, and the world, that they truly are the Best in the West.

• Date Taken: 09.30.2016
• Date Posted: 10.20.2016 19:49
• Story ID: 212528
• Location: COMALAPA, SV